African decor

African decor can be hugely dynamic, creative and inspiring.

Colours can be evocative of the sunburnt earth; deep, verdant rainforests; softly wistful savannah plains; burnt orange sunsets or pinkly-purple sunrises and vibrant splashes of raw hues reminiscent of crazily energetic African market places. Not to forget the graphic concepts of black and white, both figurative and literal, which often reflect the mastery of decoration used by African artisans.

Using quality art forms that reveal the complexity of their invention and their culture is a sure way to reflect one's own passion and creativity.

One can divide African decor (the furnishing and decoration of a room) into the following categories:

Antique/traditional, which includes both tribal and colonial pieces

Nature inspired

Safari/wildlife

Ethnic or tribal

Contemporary/modern, locally and internationally manufactured but inspired by Africa

These days decorators and homemakers happily and successfully blend two, or even three, amalgamating styles into one interior. Anything goes as long as it's tasteful! Whatever one's call, there is huge delight and joy to be taken from using both old, and new, African furniture and artifacts in one's spaces to create both a point of interest and elegance of form.

African art (paintings, sculpture, photography and installations), textiles, craft and furniture all contribute effectively to the styling of an African inspired environment.

Exteriors can also echo African nature with indigenous planting and landscaping including using sculptures for dramatic focus points.

African furniture production in past and current times often uses hardwoods like ebony.

As a citizen of this continent I believe it is essential to be aware of sustainable felling and production.

I truly believe that as consumers, we must use our conscience and try to source products from environments, companies and communities that are committed to sustainability and are also concerned with the welfare of the inhabitants, employees and societies.

Mutual benefit to all concerned with the production and purchase of the items manufactured must exist. There are products with sustainable timber certification and one needs to make an effort to search and purchase accordingly.

There are many ways of adding African decor authenticity and flavour to one's rooms and outdoor spaces:

An individual has so many ways to make a statement with African decor. The joy of it is that not everything needs to be about expense, there are many items that can be purchased through community practices which also ensure that the crafter/artist is receiving a deserving payment for the creation of the product.

Styles of African decor

Antique/traditional

There are two forms of decorating using traditional or antique African decor, furniture and accessories:

Colonial, using antique furniture from trading or colonizing countries

Tribal, using antique furniture from the indigenous peoples of Africa.

These days, designers and homemakers very often mix them up in an eclectic style which combines elements of both traditional and modern furnishings and lends itself to stunning dynamic spaces.

This interior shot opposite uses classic furniture upholstered in a kuba-inspired printed fabric and a dark wooden coffee table displaying a mix of accessories including a contemporary glass bottle holder and a genuine African decor artifact to lend authenticity to the scheme.

Nature inspired

There is much to arouse one's creatively in Africa's temporal landscapes: The deep verdant forests of the Equatorial jungle; the azure seas of Eastern Africa; the Central savannah plains softly stretching in unfathomable distances; the ancient undulating forms of the desert dunes; rugged highland mountains; bright Namaqualand desert flowers - the list is endless and everyone's impressions will be individual and unique, whatever makes one's heart beat faster!

It is in this area that textures can really come to the fore as they can be found in all the natural fibres and the products that are created with them like textiles, baskets, blinds, floorcoverings, bedlinen and tableware and artistic creations like freeform sculptures.

Colours are softly subtle earth tones creating a relaxed atmosphere and a restful environment. Touchs of natural greens, burnt umbers and reds or watery aquas can be added as accents to create interest or diversion in the scheme. For a more dramatic look inflect dark umbers, black, indigo or chocolate for graphic impact.

Safari/wildlife

This is an area where one can really go for drama catching all the energy and spirit of the African plains: Animal prints matched with textured plains, fun elements in the room like pouffes, zebra skin rugs, animal carvings, grainy prints on the walls of Savannah landscapes to add authenticity - mix it up....go wild!

Market color collision

Scour galleries and markets for original artwork; you won't regret it. Contemporary African decor artists are urban dwellers and it doesn't take much to seek them out in their own studios where you will be richly rewarded by your experience.

Use authentic African decor fabrics, printed or woven and look for brightly hued baskets and rugs. Paint your walls in vibrant feature areas and offset all this with solid brights on your sofas.

Don't forget the value of white to provide a counteracting, balancing effect to all this colour!

Contemporary African Decor

There has been an explosion on the world furniture and design market in the last 5 years of African decor inspired product.

There are many things that contribute to this but foremost, I believe, is the impact that contemporary African decor artists are having in the art world. They are gaining recognition for their contribution to culture from their hosting nations like the UK and America, while Africa itself is steadily and actively promoting their own hugely talented artists.

Platforms such as Joburg Art Fair and Dakar Art Show are gaining in momentum and authority.

...inspired these playful furniture items reflect the interest stirred up by Yinka Shonibare who used Dutch wax prints in his intellectually powerful installation pieces that confrontationally deal with identity issues.

Cushions, Dransfield and Ross

Yinka Shonibare from 'Diary of a Victorian Dandy'

Not all African contemporary furniture is so vivid and lively. More restrained earthy tones do exist, often beautifully complemented by steel and aluminium supports like the designer below.

Haldane Martin, South Africa

Black and white and shades of graphite mixed with metallics are a very arresting way of approaching African contemporary decor.